Earlier in May I made my granddaughter’s teacher a striped beach tote gift card holder which I found on Little Monkey’s blog. You can find this free pattern at http://littlemonkeyscrochet.com/mini-beach-bag-gift-card-h…/. I loved the bag and colors so much, it inspired me to design an adult size bag. A couple of nights later I woke from a deep sleep with the pattern formulating in my mind. I had to get up, rummage the yarn stash, grab my crochet hook and begin putting together what I was envisioning. Here is the end result.

For your convenience I have included the pattern in this blog post. Now I am going to admit I don’t write patterns. I chicken scratch my patterns in code in a wired spiral notebook. The day is going to come when my granddaughters will find this notebook. Together they will have a fun time decoding in the future.

So here goes… Forgive me for any errors and please feel free to contact me for any clarification you may need.

Tote Bag Pattern:Starting with two strands of Turquoise yarn…Chain 41, SC in second chain from hook and rest of the way down chain making 5 SC in last chain.Now working on the other side of chain, SC in each chain making 5 SC in last chain, join to first SC, chain 1 (ch 1 does not count as a stitch).Round 2: SC in same stitch as ch 1. SC first 38, 2 SC in next 5 stitches, SC in next 38, 2 SC in next 5 stitches, join, chain 1 (99 SC).Round 3: SC in first 44, 2 SC in next 5, SC in next 43, 2 SC in next 5, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (109 SC)Round 4: SC in first 46, 2 SC in next 10, SC in next 45, 2 SC in next 10, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (133)Round 5: In back loops only, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)Round 6-13: Now working in both loops for the rest of the project, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)Switch to two strands of White yarn…Round 14-16: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…Round 17-19: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)Switch to two strands of White yarn…Round 20-22: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…Round 23-25: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1Switch to two strands of White yarn…Round 26-28: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…Round 29-31: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1Switch to two strands of White yarn…Round 32-34: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…Round 35-37: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1Switch to two strands of White yarn…Round 38-40: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1Switch to two strands of Turquoise yarn…Round 41-46: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1Round 47: SC in first 20, chain 2, skip 2, SC in next 25, chain 2, skip 2, SC in 41, chain 2, skip 2, SC in next 25, chain 2, skip 2, SC in last 22 stitches, join, chain 1 (125 SC, 8 chain st)Round 48: SC in first 20, 2 SC in ch 2 space, SC in next 25, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in next 41, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in 25, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in last 22, join, chain (133 SC)Round 49-51: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1Fasten off and weave in ends.

Handles: 2-1 yard of 3/4″ cotton braid cord. Front side of tote, place one end through 2 chain space and knot, repeat in second chain 2 space. Back side repeat instructions on wrong side. Use picture as a guide. When working with the cord, be sure to secure ends with scotch tape. This keeps it from unraveling and easier to thread through the chain 2 spaces.

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do, I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.***

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Are you a carrot cake lover? Our family loves this flavorful dessert after an Easter dinner. It’s a traditional must have. The exception is it cannot be any carrot cake. No, it must be a homemade carrot cake made with love. According to the family it is the best carrot cake.

Three layers drizzled with buttermilk glaze

I posted a picture of three pans of freshly baked carrot cake (which was drizzled with a buttermilk glaze), on my Facebook Business page. Oh my, the response from the post was beyond expectation. Many people commented how they love carrot cake and would I share the recipe which my response was “yes”. So here is the recipe, it is written below.

Step 3: Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared cakepans.

Step 4: Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Buttermilk Glaze evenly over layers; cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Buttermilk Glaze

1 cup sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

½ cup buttermilk

½ cup butter or margarine

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How To Make It

Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.

Cream Cheese Frosting

¾ cup butter or margarine, softened

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

3 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

How To Make It

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add powder sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.

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Can you believe we are in the “love” month? Every week I volunteer with a classroom of twenty first graders. My job, is to come up with a craft for Fun Friday with these small creatives. This has given me the opportunity in sharing love of teaching and creating crafts.

For the past three weeks we have been busily making small gifts for Mom and Dad in celebration for Valentine’s Day. One of the projects their was making heart magnets for Mom. This project included teaching them to hand sew their first name initial. OMGosh, they have been so excited learning to sew! Their lighted faces and big smiles of accomplishing this small task is hard to express in words. Just know I will never forget this new memory. Cute!!!!

Now, I am sharing the love with you by attaching the url link to last week’s C & C Tuesday Facebook Live where I demonstrated two simple Valentine DIY’s for kids. It includes directions on how to make the heart magnets. The entire Live video is posted since I have not mastered editing video films. I hope you enjoy the video. ~ Robin

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Last night as I watched the ball in Times Square, NYC start to ascend up the tower, I thought the ball seemed brighter this year. Granted this is my mind’s eye, but it was different. As the ball disappeared saying goodbye to 2019 and welcoming 2020 in lights, the world had an epiphany moment. The beginning of a new decade as well as a new year. I wondered if many had the same feelings as myself of new restored hope and faith for the present and future days.

Do you keep a daily journal, (back in the days it was known as a diary)? I admit I try to keep one for each year. There are many days in each journal that were missing. I have kept both biblical and personal journals. Anyway, I pulled a few out last night to reflect and remember the journey I have been following for the past ten years. As I perused, I read documentation of my written prayers, business decisions, and the highs and lows of life. Glaringly, realization came to light that I didn’t record the days of even travel. You know, the days we consider uneventful. Are they? Are they uneventful? Or am I just not taking the few moments to reflect over the entire day and see that small snapshot of a moment. Maybe it was a smile from a stranger, a child or grandchild having a first time experience or maybe it’s a small growth experience. That small little blessing to bring joy, strength, or increase in hope and faith. How many have I overlooked? Too many for sure.

I’m really not sure where this blog is going. Just have thoughts of reflection rolling around with no definitive landing. What I do know, is my new year resolution will be keeping a daily journal “daily”. Each day I am going to commit to silent my mind, reflect and at minimum write a sentence. I really believe this is doable for me. “January 1, 2020. Dear Diary… “

New Journal…let the new year begin

What will your reachable resolution be for 2020 and the years to come? It will definitely be filled with new experiences in your journey of life. Wouldn’t it be fun to write them down?

Happy New Year, Happy New Decade! May the roaring 20’s be filled with blessings of good health, prosperity and a bright future for you and yours. ~ Robin

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Do you recall your first pet? Was it a dog, cat, frog, goldfish, tadpoles, or hamster? When I think back, our parent’s home had one or more of these pets during our childhood. There was a time when Mom really wasn’t appreciative when I brought home a snake. That’s another story to share later… However my very first pet and one of my fondest was a dachshund, Jasper.

Jasper was a full size dachshund. He was completely black accept for his brown eyebrows and paws. Through my toddler eyes, he was big and solid. I loved him! Jasper would let me roll all over him, tug his ears and tail, all the while laying patiently as I played with him. A child’s dream dog.

Yes, Jasper was a great family dog. However, he was the greatest escape artist. When Mom would let him out in the evening, Jasper always was able escape from the fenced in backyard. I can remember being put in the car and Mom driving through the neighborhood streets to find him. Sometimes, we would be lucky and find him. Other times, he would be gone for two to three days and then return home. There was a joke between my parents that Jasper had a girlfriend. This escapade went on for a few years until the last great escape when Jasper never returned home. I was heart broken. But, as I stated before we had other pets growing up including a beagle/springer spaniel mix named Spot, (we’ll save the stories of Spot for another time). Jasper will always have a special place in my heart.

Why the story? I found this adorable sign at #biglots of a black dachshund dressed in plaid for Christmas. This find immediately sent my thoughts to Jasper. So of course I had to purchase it! Then I found these adorable dachshund ornaments. Yep, purchased them, brought my treasures home and began to design a Dachshund Christmas Wreath honoring my first pet, Jasper. I’m loving it!

I’m still tweaking, but here is a picture. I’m thinking I need bones, what do you think?

If you’re interested in having this adorable wreath as part of your Christmas decor, here is the link below.